among other factors the political brinksmanship of recent months that highlightsamerica'sgovernancebecomingless stable, less effective, and less predictable. we believe this characterization still holds. do you know this congress, your congress, has done more harm than good? do you feel embarrassed being part of a congress that ranks up there with the do-nothing congresses of all time? >> i think america should be embarrassed by its leadership in washington, d.c. but that extends to the white house, senate, and house of representatives. this has been the most predictable disaster coming at us for a number of years, and certainly months. and the fact that we have been unable to do things and instead worried about our next elections instead of the next generation of americans, i think it's sinful and i hope that people turn out those who have been responsible for it. >> congressman, you're a straight shooter, we always appreciate you coming "outfront." >>> next, mixed feelings about gun control. most americans support a ban on assault weapons but also support the nra. >>> plus, alle

billion for the economy. that would help thefederalgovernmentinterms of dealing with the deficit, but nonetheless, it still won't be enough, but it will be a start in that direction. that's the current cutoff, but we don't have that deal yet. absent that deal and as long as the clock keeps ticking, all of this is on the table for all of us. one more thing i should mention, bear in mind this past year, all of us have enjoyed a payroll tax vacation. payroll taxes were reduced across the country to help people deal with this bad economy right now. that's ending. there's no sign that's not going to end. everyone is going to pay a little more anyway. what we're worried about is this extra level on top. that is what many volters are paying attention to and that is the real bear in the woods that has democrats and republicans both worried about these negotiations. >> the clock, as you point out, is ticking, ticking, ticking right now. tom, thank you. >>> what's at stake for the millions of americans already out of a job once the country goes over the fiscal cliff? that and much more whe